Map Printing Through the Ages: From Woodblocks to Rotogravure
Maps are more than just guides—they are works of art, tools of science, and windows into the past. Throughout history, the way maps have been printed has changed dramatically. Each printing technique reflects the technology of its time. It leaves behind clues that help us date and understand old maps. In this blog post, we’ll explore the fascinating evolution of map printing techniques. We will look at the journey from the earliest woodblock prints to modern rotogravure printing.
We’ll cover:
- Woodblock Printing
- Copperplate Engraving
- Steelplate Engraving
- Lithography
- Chromolithography
- Rotogravure
We’ll also learn how to recognize each printing technique and when it was used.
1. Woodblock Map Printing (1400s–1600s)
What is it?
Woodblock printing is the earliest form of mass-producing maps in Europe. The technique originated in Asia, particularly China, centuries before Europe adopted it in the 15th century.
To create a woodblock map, an artist would carve the map in reverse into a wooden block. Everything that was meant to show up in black ink was left raised. The carved block was then inked and pressed onto paper, producing the image.
When was it used?
In Europe, woodblock printing was common from the 1400s to the late 1500s. Famous early mapmakers like Hartmann Schedel, whose Nuremberg Chronicle (1493) is filled with woodblock maps, used this method.
How to tell it’s woodblock printing
- Lines are thick and somewhat crude. Fine detail is hard to achieve in wood.
- Text is part of the image. It was carved directly into the block.
- Maps are printed in black ink. Color, if present, was usually added by hand afterward.
- Slight irregularities. Because wood is soft, blocks wear down, creating blurry lines over time.
Famous examples:
- Ptolemaic maps in 15th-century editions of Geographia
- Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)
2. Copperplate Engraving (Late 1500s–Early 1800s)
What is it?
Copperplate engraving replaced woodblock printing in Europe around the late 1500s. The artist did not carve into wood. Instead, they engraved the image into a flat copper plate using a burin (a sharp tool). Ink was pushed into the engraved lines. Then, the plate was wiped clean. Finally, paper was pressed onto it under high pressure.
This method allowed for far more detail than woodblock printing.
When was it used?
From the late 1500s to the early 1800s, copperplate was the dominant method of map printing. Mapmakers like Mercator, Blaeu, and Hondius used copper plates for their atlases.
How to tell it’s copperplate printing
- Fine, clean lines and intricate detail.
- Text is small and neat, often curved to follow coastlines.
- No visible dot patterns—shading is created with hatching (closely spaced lines).
- Plate marks—you can often see a slight indentation around the edge of the map from the printing press.
Famous examples:
- Mercator’s Atlas (1595)
- Blaeu’s Atlas Maior (1662–1672)
3. Steelplate Engraving (Early 1800s–Mid 1800s)
What is it?
Steel engraving is very akin to copperplate engraving but uses harder steel plates instead. Because steel is tougher, it lasts longer and allows for even finer lines, making it ideal for detailed work.
When was it used?
This technique became popular in the early 1800s and was widely used until about the 1860s. It was a transitional method before the rise of lithography.
How to tell it’s steelplate printing
- Even finer lines than copperplate, with more delicate hatching.
- Very crisp details, especially in lettering and ornamentation.
- Similar plate marks to copperplate, though sometimes less pronounced.
- Steel engravings were often black and white, with color added by hand.
Famous examples:
- Maps from early 19th-century British and American atlases
- Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK) maps (1830s–1850s)
4. Lithography (Early 1800s–Late 1800s)
What is it?
Lithography is a completely different printing method. It’s based on the principle that oil and water don’t mix. The image is drawn with a greasy crayon onto a flat limestone or metal plate. Water is applied, which sticks only to the blank areas. Ink is then rolled over the surface, sticking only to the greasy parts, and finally transferred to paper.
Lithography allowed for freehand drawing, giving maps a looser and more artistic appearance.
When was it used?
Invented in 1796, lithography became common for maps by the 1820s–1880s. It was especially popular for topographic and geological maps.
How to tell it’s lithography printing
- Hand-drawn appearance—lines vary in thickness and look more natural.
- No engraved lines—you won’t see the sharpness of copper or steel.
- No plate mark, as there was no pressure like in engraving.
- Text looks like handwriting, not typeset or engraved.
- Grayscale or soft pastel colors, often hand-applied.
Famous examples:
- Early U.S. Geological Survey maps
- German and Austrian topographic maps in the 1800s
5. Chromolithography (Mid-1800s–Early 1900s)
What is it?
Chromolithography is a color version of lithography. Instead of adding color by hand, printers used multiple lithographic stones or plates—one for each color. These were layered to create a full-color image.
It was time-consuming and expensive but produced vibrant, multi-colored maps that looked hand-painted.
When was it used?
This method flourished from about the 1850s to the early 1900s, especially in atlases, school maps, and posters.
How to tell it’s chromolithography printing
- Bright, solid colors, often in flat areas.
- Color boundaries are very sharp—colors don’t blend into each other.
- No visible dots, unlike modern CMYK printing.
- No plate mark, as it uses a lithographic process.
- Show slight misalignments, especially if registration (lining up colors) was imperfect.
Famous examples:
- Rand McNally maps (late 1800s)
- Johnson’s Atlas of the World (1860s–1880s)
6. Rotogravure Map Printing (Early 1900s–Mid 1900s)
What is it?
Rotogravure is a type of intaglio printing where the image is etched onto a rotating metal cylinder. It’s fast and ideal for printing many copies, often used in newspapers and magazines. In mapmaking, it allowed for full-color printing at high volumes.
When was it used?
Rotogravure became popular for maps from the 1920s through the 1950s, especially in commercial and educational settings.
How to tell it’s rotogravure printing
- Smooth, photographic look.
- Tiny dot patterns visible under magnification—looks like modern inkjet or laser prints.
- Even color tones, often more realistic than earlier techniques.
- No plate marks—it’s a cylindrical press.
- Often found in folded maps, like road maps or travel guides.
Famous examples:
- Mid-century road atlases
- Tourist maps from the 1930s–50s
- National Geographic inserts
Summary Table: How to Identify Map Printing Techniques
| Printing Method | Time Period | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Woodblock | 1400s–1600s | Thick lines, carved text, hand-colored |
| Copperplate | Late 1500s–Early 1800s | Fine lines, plate marks, engraved text |
| Steelplate | Early 1800s–1860s | Even finer detail, crisp lettering, plate marks |
| Lithography | 1820s–1880s | Hand-drawn look, no plate mark, soft lines |
| Chromolithography | 1850s–early 1900s | Bright flat colors, sharp boundaries, no dots |
| Rotogravure | 1920s–1950s | Dot patterns, smooth tones, photographic quality |
Tips for Map Collectors and History Enthusiasts
If you’re interested in collecting or identifying old maps, here are some quick tips:
- Use a magnifying glass. Dot patterns indicate later printing methods.
- Look for plate marks around the edges—an easy way to spot engraved maps.
- Check for hand-coloring vs. printed color.
- Look at the text—engraved text has a mechanical sharpness, while lithographed text look like handwriting.
- Research the publisher and date—this often confirms the printing method.
Conclusion
Map printing techniques show the evolution from the carved woodblocks of the 15th century. They have advanced to the photorealistic prints of the 20th century. These techniques tell a rich story of technological innovation and artistic craftsmanship. Each method has its own charm and historical context, helping us better understand the maps we study and treasure.
So next time you see an old map, take a closer look. The lines, colors, and textures can whisper stories about geography. They can also tell about the hands and tools that brought the map to life.